15 Oct Finding and sharing Torbay’s volunteering opportunities

Each week, we receive a steady stream of people putting themselves forward to volunteer.

Some know exactly what they want to do and which sector they want to volunteer for, others are not sure – they just know they want to give something back, and a handful simply want to explore volunteering in principle to see if it is for them.

We can help all of them, and one of our team will always give them a ring to chat it through and work out where their skills and interests would be best served.

The majority come through the VolunteerTorbay.com website, where they fill in the briefest of details – more an expression of interest than a commitment and we take it from there.

Others put “Torbay Together” into their favourite search engine and go to Devon Connect, click on the Volunteering button and are able to browse volunteer offers uploaded by charities and organisations across the Bay.

We do not always get to know about the connections made on Torbay Together,  but we watch the vacancies come and go on a regular basis and therefore assume that they are being filled.

There are all sorts on there, and this week on offer is the chance to volunteer as a stage manager for the South Devon Players Theatre and Film Company for their upcoming production of the Scarlet Pimpernel.

It is a hands-on role, which will also require attendance at rehearsals in Brixham and at shows which will be staged from South Devon up to the Midlands. A great opportunity for someone with a penchant for the stage or for someone seeking a career in the industry.

A more unusual vacancy featured this week is for a casualty simulator. The Casualties Union is happy to provide full training to bring realism to all levels of First Aid training, be it to scouts and guides, or nurses, doctors and paramedics

Volunteering, at its heart, is about giving one’s time, skills, and energy for the benefit of others or the wider community without the expectation of financial reward.

If the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, then the best time to become a volunteer was yesterday or, at a push, today.

VolunteerTorbay.com is a great way to sign up, and in response to growing demand, we have added a new tab to the site, which allows people with large-scale projects to register them.

Over the last few weeks, we have received requests from companies and organisations looking for long-term volunteering opportunities where they can make a difference. A sort of CSR (corporate and social responsibility) on steroids.

Every week, we get requests from volunteers who want to give something back because they have realised that although the concept is universal, the experience of volunteering can be deeply personal, touching on the values, passions, and aspirations of every individual who chooses to get involved. Across Torbay, thousands dedicate hours each year to causes ranging from environmental conservation to supporting vulnerable individuals.

But what exactly motivates people to volunteer, and what are the broader impacts of these selfless acts?

People volunteer for a multitude of reasons. For some, it is a way of giving back to their communities—perhaps as a gesture of gratitude for support received in the past. Others may be spurred by a desire to address social injustices or to support causes close to their hearts, such as animal welfare, youth development, or homelessness. Many find that volunteering offers a sense of belonging and purpose, helping to combat feelings of isolation and improve mental wellbeing.

For students and those early in their careers, volunteering can also be a strategic move, providing them with valuable experience, skills, and networking opportunities that may enhance their employability. For retirees, volunteering offers a chance to stay active, engaged, and share a lifetime’s worth of skills with others.

There is a whole world of volunteering opportunities out there. Here at Torbay Communities, we are always on the lookout for a variety of volunteers, including befrienders who ring those at risk of becoming isolated. It can take less than an hour a week. Less than an hour, which can make a massive difference to a lonely person

If, having looked at VolunteerTorbay.com and Torbay Together on Devon Connect, you are still unsure,  then talk to one of our team on the Torbay Community Helpline on 01803 446022. We are awaiting your call.